Lee-A-Tregurtha Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On April 3, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes sprang into action to aid the 'Lee A. Tregurtha', which found itself entrapped in ice near the Duluth shoreline of Lake Superior. The call for assistance came in at approximately 12:40 p.m., prompting the Coast Guard Cutter 'Spar' to swiftly respond to the scene. After several hours of concerted effort, the 'Lee A. Tregurtha' was successfully freed from the icy grip around 4:00 p.m. This marked the self discharger's inaugural voyage of the season, as it was en route to Marquette to pick up a cargo of iron ore after spending the winter months at the Frasier Shipyards. The U.S. Coast Guard has been actively engaged in ice-breaking operations as part of Sector Northern Great Lakes’ Operation Taconite, essential for supporting the commercial shipping season within the upper Great Lakes and St. Marys River. The operation has mobilized all available U.S. Coast Guard cutters in the Great Lakes District to ensure safe navigation through icy waters. For a detailed report along with photographs, visit Fox9 News.

In response to severe ice conditions, the U.S. Coast Guard has deployed two dedicated icebreakers to facilitate shipping operations on the Great Lakes. On January 21, 2026, the bulk carrier 'American Spirit,' while navigating Lake Erie, sought assistance as it was making slow progress but had not yet become entrapped in the ice. The Coast Guard Cutter 'Neah Bay' was dispatched to support the vessel, successfully breaking through the ice, allowing the 'American Spirit' to resume its journey by midday. Subsequent to this, the cutter provided an escort to ensure the ship reached its destination in Toledo, where it will undergo winter layup. Earlier in the month, on January 15, the 'Neah Bay' was already engaged in assisting the 'Lee A. Tregurtha.' The cutter managed to guide the vessel through six to eight inches of brash ice within the St. Marys River, enabling its passage to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan—the very last day of operation for the season, as the locks were set to close for the winter navigational period. Additionally, on January 21, the Coast Guard Cutter 'Mackinaw' was tasked with freeing the 'Wilfred Sykes' from the icy grip on Lake Huron, successfully escorting the vessel through the Straits of Mackinac. For more insights, photos, and video on the Coast Guard's icebreaking efforts, visit: https://maritime-executive.com/article/uscg-icebreakers-aid-great-lakes-shipping-as-arctic-front-ices-the-lakes.

On November 3, 2018, the vessel 'Lee A. Treegurtha' anchored in Sarnia, Ontario, to address issues with one of its main engines. After conducting necessary repairs, the ship made its way to Marquette, arriving on November 7 at 8:55 a.m. The following day, November 8, the 'Lee A. Treegurtha' set sail once again, this time heading toward Dearborn.

On the evening of July 25, 2018, the cargo ship 'Lee A. Tregurtha' played a crucial role in a heroic rescue operation after it reported the capsizing of a 17-foot pleasure craft with four individuals on board near Detour Passage, Michigan. The call for help was made via VHF-FM radio channel 16 to the US Coast Guard, prompting immediate action from the Sector Sault Sainte Marie command center. In response to the emergency, watchstanders quickly issued an urgent marine information broadcast and diverted the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Buckthorn to the scene. They also dispatched a response crew from Coast Guard Station Sault Sainte Marie and requested an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. Remarkably, just five minutes after the alert was issued, a good Samaritan vessel arrived at the scene, rescuing all four individuals from the capsized craft before the Coast Guard response boat could reach them. The rescued passengers were safely transported to Detour Village boat launch. Meanwhile, the capsized vessel sank in approximately 135 feet of water, prompting the Coast Guard to monitor the area for potential pollution or navigation hazards. Following the incident, the Army Corps of Engineers is set to conduct a thorough survey of the channel.

The M/V Lee A. Tregurtha, part of the Interlake Steamship Company’s fleet, has officially launched from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. This marks a significant milestone as the vessel becomes the third self-unloading bulk carrier in the fleet to be equipped with advanced exhaust gas scrubbers. Interlake Steamship Company pioneered the use of scrubber technology in the Great Lakes, first implementing it on the M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar back in April 2015. Earlier this month, the fleet's first 1,000-foot vessel, the M/V James R. Barker, also took to the waters with the same innovative equipment. "With the Lee A. Tregurtha returning to active duty, a remarkable one third of our fleet is now outfitted with state-of-the-art scrubber systems designed to substantially cut emissions," stated Mark W. Barker, President of Interlake. He emphasized the company's dedication to reducing its environmental impact and highlighted how this initiative showcases their commitment to investing in sustainability. The retrofit for the Lee A. Tregurtha was made possible through a $500,000 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD), reflecting the industry's ongoing efforts to enhance maritime environmental performance.